We’ve all heard the phrase “first impressions count” and, whether it is for a job interview or even a first date, we all want to make a good impression. When writing an article, dissertation or thesis, your abstract provides the first impression of your work. Based on the brief description provided in the abstract, readers…

There are an abundance of online sources available today to enhance learning. You may want to start with the librarians at your university before looking further afield. They should be able to assist you with locating helpful online resources to enhance your knowledge of a particular topic. Additionally, a large number of universities and other…

When reading a journal article or book, it is important to evaluate the author’s arguments rather than simply accepting them as valid. You should ask yourself: what is the evidence that supports particular statements? Passionate emotions, intuition, deep personal beliefs, and allegiance to particular authorities or “schools of thought” are not evidence; they are sources…

We’ve all heard the phrase “two heads are better than one.” However, when it comes to study groups, there are a few things you need to consider before forming or joining one.  First, you want to try to find out if potential group members will be responsible and prepared to contribute to group study efforts.…

If you are looking for an alternative to the linear method of taking notes and organizing your thoughts then consider using mind maps. A mind map is a visual diagram of thoughts and ideas. This visual tool can help with the organization and structure of ideas. The term “mind mapping” was coined by Tony Buzan,…

About a year ago I was having a conversation with a good friend about her doctoral dissertation. She was having challenges with the writing process. However, when I began to ask her questions about her research, she was able to talk it through clearly and at length. She knew her topic well and was very…

Visual Stress, also referred to as Meares-Irlen syndrome, is a term used to describe multiple symptoms associated with visual perception problems. Symptoms may include eye strain, migraine headaches, light sensitivity, experiencing glare from a page, the perception that words or letters on a page are blurred or moving or that patterns are emanating from the…

We all know people who are able to achieve a great deal in a 24 hour period while others, at the end of a day, wonder why they have accomplished so little. I know most of us are aware of the importance of time management for achieving our goals. However, for many it can be…

Being a student at Uni is exciting! However, tons of reading, exams, essay deadlines and possibly adjusting to life in a different culture can be extremely stressful for some students. Stress is a normal part of life, but if stress becomes overwhelming, it is important to realize that help is available from your university as…

University can be a very intimidating place for students, sometimes causing us to question our academic ability and wonder if we’re really university material. This is particularly the case at universities which are extremely competitive. Within these environments, some students struggle with feelings that they may not be good enough even after they have been…